Private to Fed - How much less did you make?
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Anonymous
| Lawyer. 7th year. $230K+ bonus of $20-40k. Went to GS 13-10 at just a hair over a $100k. Best decision ever, and I loved my firm. |
Anonymous
I forgot to add. I didn't "federalize." Moreover, I would likely pass on any resume that crosses my desk if it was more than a page, two tops. USAJOBS cold application. Entire process took about 2 weeks, 4 from the time I applied to when I started. On the other hand, over the years, I had sent many a resume into the federal black hole, at one point receiving a rejection letter 5 years after I applied. |
Anonymous
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I took a in-between step of Federal Contractor to Think Tank to Federal Government after trying to break in for several years. As a contractor I had a base of 175K plus about a 25K yearly bonus so when I went to the the think tank (actually did this purposefully as a intermediary step) I took that opportunity to right size my salary and expectations. I knew I made too much as a contractor and I did not feel that I could sustain that for another 30 years of working (I do not have the personality for Sales or BD and trust me...you wouldn't me in those roles!!).
At the Think Tank I made 155K with no bonus (I never really cared too much about the bonus anyways because half was always taken away by taxes and at my company you put half away into a savings account so my take home in regards to that was pretty much even to the 401K matching by the Think Tank, so the other half was only 5K or so which was nice but nothing to write home about). Stayed there about 2 years before I switched over to a Fed (the plan worked!) as a 14 step 10 direct hire and it was the absolute best decision which I believe was about 141K when I came in last year. I had previously spent 5 years in the military so I was able to buy back that time towards my retirement (i.e. I walked into federal service with 5 years of retirement under my belt) and was also able to negotiate 8 hours of leave per pay period. My agency has embraced telework so its really flexible and the mission is very timely and important. Comparatively the health care is better than when I was a contractor but not as good as the Think Tank (now they had the real Cadillac plan!) however if you do the math on the pension (especially given my prior service) its worth it. Most importantly, I pretty much get the same job fulfillment and camaraderie as I did when I was in the military which I did not expect but is a very nice bonus! |
Anonymous
I was in this boat too. Junior law firm partner making $250k; moved to fed agency at GS 14 making $114k or so; now upper GS-15. Spouse is still at a firm so we still have a decent income level when combined. Fed position gives us great benefits and much (much) more flexibility than the law firm position. |
Anonymous
Wow, thanks! |
Anonymous
| OP here, thank you for your responses! Did anyone have to leave DC to get their federal role? |
Anonymous
now that I'm "in" would love to do 10 years here and 10 years in Cali and then retire, that would be the perfect alignment of events 
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